Thanks to Michigan Mittens for providing all products and giveaway items featured in this post!

Snow has FINALLY arrived in Detroit, and I don't know about you--but I'm starting to embrace all things warm and cozy! Today, I've got the scoop on some fun, new products from one of my favorite "warm and cozy" advocates, Michigan Mittens (learn more about this Pontiac-based company and the people behind it here). If you're looking for unique, U.S.-made gifts with some Michigan flair, I've got four great options for you! Check 'em out below (and be sure to keep reading for a couple of exclusive surprises)!

Red Hunter’s Plaid Mittens (Limited Edition)

You probably don't need me to tell you how popular buffalo check is right now--and now you can add a pop of this trend to any coat with these Hunter's Plaid mittens! Super-soft and perfect for snow days, these one-size-fits-all mittens are only around for a limited time--so grab 'em while they're in stock!

Michigan L’Oven Mitts

At first glance, you might think that this is another mitten photo. On the contrary, my dears--Michigan Mittens now makes oven mitts! Featuring double-knit cotton and designed to withstand heat up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, these "L'Oven Mitts" come in packs of two . . . so there's one for each hand! I particularly love the fit: not over-sized and bulky like most oven mitts (this makes it easier to grab hold of your baking pans), and they're designed to cover a good portion of your arm for added heat protection (this pair stopped a few inches below my elbow). L'Oven Mitts are available in black with royal blue lining (pictured above) or royal blue with black lining.

“Wear This Map” Bandana

This full-color map bandana can be used as a head scarf, skull cap, wall art, you name it! Get creative and wear the state of Michigan any way you choose--it's also 100% moisture wicking, so it's perfect for hot, summer months, as well.

Old Maid in Michigan Card Game

Looking for a fun kids' gift the whole family can enjoy? Try Old Maid in Michigan, a twist on the beloved classic card game. Featuring Michigan-inspired characters like Yooper Jack, Tilda Tulip, and Great Lakes Gary, these jumbo-sized cards are designed by local illustrator David Wayne Smith and Michigan Mittens graphic designer, Lisa Angelilli.

Coupon Code: 20% Off Your Order

Now through December 18, 2016, save 20% on all online purchases atMichiganMittens.com! This is a great chance to stock up on Christmas gifts for your whole crew--just use coupon code BIGSHOES20 at checkout.

Giveaway: Win A Michigan Mittens Gift Pack!

Okay, guys . . . who wants a shot at winning one of everything shown above?? Enter below to win a Michigan Mittens Gift Pack! This includes one pair of Hunter's Plaid mittens, one pair of L'Oven Mitts, one "Wear This Map" bandana, and one set of Old Maid in Michigan playing cards. Contest ends December 18, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. est. One winner will be selected at random and will be contacted by email within one week of contest end date. Must be 18 or older to enter.

Above: I love visiting The Redford Theatre during the holiday season, taking in an old movie, and gawking over this AMAZING train display!

Old-fashioned festivals, tree lighting events, and weather that looks like it belongs in a snow globe: Michigan is truly a magical place during the holidays. It's hard to believe that this will be our SIXTH Christmas season in the mitten state (where does the time even go?!), but I'm interpreting the lightning-speed time jump to mean that Brad and I are having an absolute blast here in Michigan.

From seeing Wicked at the Detroit Opera House to shopping for wreaths at the Eastern Market's Holiday Market, we've explored countless new places and built lifelong memories in half a decade's time (yes, I just realized it's been half a decade!). I know that there are so many other Michiganders who have built unique memories of their own, so I've reached out to some fellow Michigan blogger friends of mine, who've generously agreed to share their favorite holiday traditions and what they think makes Michigan so special this time of year.

Lauren (Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood)

“My favorite Christmas tradition with my family is bundling up and loading the kids into a wagon for a walk around downtown Howell to look at Christmas lights. They are so magical and the perfect way to kick off the season. We round out the night with hot cocoa and a Christmas movie as a family. The memories we create together each season far outweigh any of the material items under the tree!”

Aaron (elATLboy)

“Miles of holiday lights and displays dot Hines Drive in Westland, making for a beautiful Detroit area drive every year at the Wayne County Lightfest. I have enjoyed evenings there with friends and loved ones over the years, usually with some hot chocolate or coffee alongside to stay warm.”

Amanda (The World Incorporated)

"The holidays call for a lot of reflection. It’s usually during this time that I look back on my year and think, “how do I define my 2016?”

I do this by ornament hunting at Bronner’s, the largest Christmas store in the world, located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Nearly 2 million Christmas ornaments are purchased by visitors annually, and my mission is to find a single ornament to define my year or define my travels. This year I’m eyeing an ornament of a sushi roll, to commemorate a semi-spontaneous trip to Japan this year. My recommendation is to wander over to the “Christmas Around the World” section, and you’ll find hand-painted baubles from eastern Europe, miniature Chinese lanterns, crafts from Africa, or adornments from Latin America. Really, there’s an ornament for anything."

Rachel (Redesigning Happiness)

“One of my favorite events in December is Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village. The night is magical, almost like stepping into a Christmas scene from the past. By walking a lantern lit path, one can see carolers, horse-drawn wagons, Model T cars, presenters in costumes, and Santa himself! There are also lots of good smells including chestnuts roasting on an open fire, kettle corn, baked goods, and much more. To top it off, the night ends with a fireworks display. I am really looking forward to this year because I'm going to Holiday Nights along with dinner at the Eagle Tavern.”

Lish (LishDorset.com)

"Metro Detroit is crafty all throughout the year, but we're especially crafty during the holidays. I love how many craft fairs there are to visit, from the Detroit Urban Craft Fair to DIYipsi, and fun hands-on workshops and events, like Signal-Return's annual Holiday Card Jam, to enjoy for a true do-it-yourself Christmas."

Abby (FruitableBlog)

"During the Christmas season in my small village of Nashville, I love having eating and baking parties with my friends and going to our annual Christmas parade. In the past years, I have always marched in the parade with my high school band; we would march through whatever crazy and snowy weather Michigan would bring us! Afterwards my school choir would sing songs and warm up by drinking hot cocoa. This year will be different for me though because for the first time, I'll be a spectator!"

Erica (Fashion Meets Food)

"I grew up near Rochester and every year, my mum would pop a big batch of popcorn, thermoses with hot chocolate and take my brother and I to downtown Rochester for the Big Bright Light Show. The lights line the buildings along Main Street, and it’s definitely a sight to see if you’ve never been. Even though we’re older now we still make an effort to visit downtown Rochester for the light show every year."

From makeup lovers to dog owners, it seems like there’s a subscription box for everyone these days! For a few years now, I’ve heard great things about Mitten Crate, a food-themed subscription box that’s filled with Michigan-made snacks, recipe starters, and other edible goodies. The concept is a fun idea that’s tailored not only for gift giving, but also for people who enjoy discovering and sampling unique, thoughtfully-curated products.

How Mitten Crate Works

There are a few ways to enjoy Mitten Crate:

1.) A one-time delivery to you or a friend

2.) An ongoing subscription with free shipping (that can be canceled at any time)

3.) A three-month subscription (receive a discount for purchasing three months at once!)

Once you sign up, Mitten Crate will send a box filled with a surprise assortment of Michigan-made food products right to your door (subscription orders ship out on the 15th of each month, while one-time orders ship weekly). All you have to do after ordering is simply sit back, wait for your delivery to arrive, then enjoy!

Mitten Crate was kind enough to send me their latest box to try out, along with a special coupon code and giveaway for you, my lovely readers! Read on for a taste of what types of products you could find inside your Mitten Crate and learn how you can scoop up a FREE subscription for you AND a friend!

The Unboxing: What I Received In My Mitten Crate

Sugar Daddy Premium Kettle Corn (Pop Daddy Popcorn)

Brad and I are on a kettle corn kick right now, so we were both excited to see this little bag of Pop Daddykettle corn upon opening our Mitten Crate! Specializing in GMO-free, gluten-free popcorn, Pop Daddy sources its corn directly from two family farms—one in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and one in Sunman, Indiana—before popping the final product at its manufacturing location in Highland, Michigan. Made with tender, premium yellow popcorn, Pop Daddy’s Sugar Daddy kettle corn is created in small batches to ensure a great texture and flavor that’s unlike popcorn produced by larger manufacturers.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Cooper Street Cookies)

Based in Birmingham, Michigan, family-powered Cooper Street Cookies merges a great-grandmother’s recipe with a commitment to using healthier, all-natural ingredients. Just one of eight Cooper Street Cookies flavors, this oatmeal raisin variety is dairy-free, nut-free, low-sugar, low-sodium, low-calorie, and free of trans fats. Cut into long, thin strips, these crunchy cookies are very similar to biscotti and extremely addictive.

Pumpkin 5-Spice Marshmallows (The Detroit Marshmallow Co.)

These melt-in-your-mouth, Pumpkin 5-Spice marshmallows from the Detroit Marshmallow Co. are not your average s’mores toppers. Handcrafted at the company’s micro-bakery on Mack Avenue in Detroit, these sweet treats are composed of all-natural, organic-when-possible ingredients that are sourced mostly in metro Detroit. This ensures both incredibly-fresh flavor and support of local Michigan food artisans, classic brands, and growers.

I’m excited to try this cold-weather treat! Featuring Peruvian cocoa and Dominican ground chocolate, this hot cocoa mix from Fresh Coast Chocolate Co. is created in small batches in Traverse City. Ethically-traded and sustainably-grown cacao beans are turned into chocolate, which is then transformed into a full-flavor hot cocoa mix. With organic ingredients and no added milk powder, this cocoa is also naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Detroit Jerk Seasoning (Detroit Spice Company)

Anything that makes cooking dinner a little easier (and faster) is a home run in my book! Originally developed and sold at Detroit’s Eastern Market, Detroit Spice Company products deliver unique flavors that are a tribute to the Motor City’s diverse cultures and tastes. All that flavor in one little container—can’t beat that!

Chocolate Covered Dried Tart Cherries (Benjamin Twiggs)

It’s no secret that Traverse City is known for cherries, so naturally, this Traverse-City based company has some of the tastiest chocolate-covered cherries around! Founded in 1966, Benjamin Twiggsfocuses on the finest local ingredients, including products that revolve around not only cherries, but also blueberries, raspberries, and other bountiful Michigan crops.

Mitten Crate Coupon Code: Save $11 Now!

This holiday season, Mitten Crate is offering $11 off the first month of your Mitten Crate subscription! To redeem this offer, simply visit mittencrate.com and enter coupon code bigshoes11 at checkout for discount. Coupon code valid on new subscriptions and three-month memberships.

WIN: TWO 3-Month Mitten Crate Memberships!

Mitten Crate is giving one Wading in Big Shoes reader the ultimate holiday gift: TWO 3-month Mitten Crate memberships (one for you and one for your friend)!

To enter, use the widget below. There are multiple ways to enter, but each method is weighted differently (so make sure to enter every way you can)! Contest ends December 11, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. EST. One winner will be selected at random. Must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be contacted by email within one week of contest end date. Best of luck! :)

Disclosure: This post is part of an affiliate partnership between Wading in Big Shoes and Wood by Al.

Whether you’re donning a parka or stretching a few more uses out of your flip-flops, there’s no denying that the holiday season is upon us! In the spirit of supporting small business and all things Michigan, I’m excited to share some more Michigan gift ideas with you all. Today, I’m partnering with Wood by Al, a handmade home décor business run by Yoopernative, Alison Edwards.

Alison Edwards of Wood by Al - Photo Courtesy of Alison Edwards

Developed while Alison’s husband was on a nine-month deployment in Kuwait, Wood by Al grew out of a time and place where many people might have focused on discouragement rather than inspiration. Citing a desire to create and a need to keep busy, Alison taught herself how to use a scroll saw and wood burner—and voila, a new craft was born!

With a variety of handcrafted wood products such as decorative trays, wall art, ornaments, and more, Wood by Al is a great source for customizable, artisanal gifts. There are also several Michigan-inspired products available—and they’re not limited to just the mitten! Whether you refer to that “land above the bridge” as “Yooperland” or “Home,” there’s plenty of UP love to be found.

In addition to promoting positivity in her products, Alison also promotes positivity by giving back: 10 percent of all Wood by Al sales (and 100 percent of sales from this magnet) go to provide clean water for those in need (click here to learn more).

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Hi! I'm Jennifer.

Southwest Virginia born and raised, I moved over 500 miles to Southeast Michigan with my husband in 2011. Since then, I’ve been recording my adventures here, bringing you stories as I explore the “mitten state” and do my best to succeed as a first-time homeowner.